SPECIAL KIDDUSH for Sroka sheva brochos (Dovid and Malky) sponsored by shul in honor of R’ Berel Sroka’s volunteer work with KYY and the Shul. May they be Zoche to build a binyan aday ad and may Hashem continue to shower them and the entire community with kol tuv sela.

Over the past few articles we have been speaking about the importance of accepting Hashem’s sovereignty and taking personal responsibility (kabolas ol), in fulfilling all aspects of Torah and mitzvos and avodas Hashem. This week we continue on that theme, delving into the heart and soul of what truly motivates us. If our acceptance is out of fear or because we don't want to rebel, then our acceptance may be productive and good but it is still superficial. If however our motivation stems from a recognition of being a part of Hashem, as the pasuk says, “Chelek Hashem Amo, His nation is a part of Him (Hashem) then our commitment is rooted deep in the essence of our soul (see chapter 2 in Tanya). When we recognize that we are truly connected deep down, and we feel that we are a part Hashem then we truly desire to except his sovereignty with complete personal responsibility.

The coming month of Elul is a month of teshuva. The Alter Rebbe defines defines teshuva in Igeres HaTeshuva. First, teshuva means letting go of sin. Secondly it's the acceptance of Hashem’s kingship and the commitment not to rebel in the future. If this acceptance is only superficial then it is likely that the commitment will not last. With the entire world with all it’s attractions directly in front of us and only a superficial commitment to respond to it’s constant barrage of temptations our ability to withstand will be tested immensely. If however our commitment is strong and deep, although it's a great test, we not only have the ability to withstand but to thrive and influence others as well.

There are two things here. The acceptance of Hashem’s kingship and the inner desire of acceptance and the subjugation of our personal will for Hashem. When we truly realize that Hashem is our master, we know we belong to Hashem. It's not sufficient to just accept responsibility to some degree along with the temptations. We must go further, to break the independent "I ", the ego and bend our life in favor of our Master’s will. It is only then that we become what we were meant to be and assume our truest self. Therefore our acceptance of Hashem and take taking personal responsibility is not just a dry mechanical and superficial process, it comes with a deep honest and heartfelt connection.

The aforementioned is also true in the relationship between a Rebbe and a Chosid. Some people have a sense for how great the Rebbe is, and truly appreciate all of the Rebbe does and all that the Rebbe stands for. The question is how much does our acceptance of the Rebbe impact our personal behavior. When it comes to accomplishing what the Rebbe wants do we place our personal desires and opinions on the side or do we defer? When the moment comes to act or not to do what is wrong do we have the strength because; that's what a Chosid does or not to do what a Chosid doesn’t do?. Do I act, bend and change my life because of my connection to the Rebbe?

It is well-known that the Rebbe many times would emphasize and sing and motion with great enthusiasm the words, “Ana avdah d’Kudsha Brich Hu, I am a servant of Hashem” when the Sefer Torah was being brought out of Aron for Krias HaTorah. All could see how the Rebbe was so aroused and enthusiastic about these words. These words are so special because they are a recognition of what we have and what we are. We have a Master that we are connected to and we have the honor to be His servants. Especially moving was the Rebbe’s boundless enthusiasm on Simchas Torah (you can see it on the video of Hoshana Rabba for 5738-1977) when in his ceaseless fervor his Tallis kept falling off.

So serving Hashem, accepting His sovereignty and taking personal responsibility are not dry, mechanical and lifeless motions, they are our heart and soul, they our essence. This is the message of Elul. The acronym for Elul begins with, I am yours, Ani Dodi. All of the activities of Torah, mitzvos and avodah are important and essential. But it's not just the act; it's also our internal recognition and our inner desire, will and connection that guarantees our future and the perpetuation of our service, which culminates with the coming of Moshiach. May we experience the appearance of Moshiach still in this year 5776 Shnas Hakel!

Mr. & Mrs. Yerachmiel Soto in honor of their first anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also in honor of Mrs. Chava Soto’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Everyone has a Vote:
Are we Happy with the Status Quo
or do we prefer to Move Forward?By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week I came across a Sicha from the Rebbe on parshas Maasai 5727-1967. It was delivered 49 years ago after the Six-Day War. The Rebbe spoke about people who decided not to go out on shlichus and instead to stay in Brooklyn. They did this because they considered Brooklyn to be a safe haven from negative influences.

The Rebbe said those that not only would they be unable to avoid the negative influences by staying in Brooklyn, it could be even worse. The Rebbe explained that the core reason, which determines whether or not we fall prey to negative or foreign influences, is our ability to accept Hashem’s sovereignty and our sense of personal responsibility. He went on to describe a certain kind of person that hangs around, coming and going as he pleases, sleeping in and wasting his time reading up on the latest news, pontificating and debating the up-to-the-minute statements of politicians and pundits, preoccupied with Washington DC and the African-American community in Milwaukee. Although he conducts himself with an attitude of self-importance and convinces himself to be acting strictly for the sake of Heaven not to mention the world at large, in reality the Rebbe said, he is only fooling himself. He has no influence in the corridors of Washington or anywhere else. He is wasting his time that could have been used more productively elsewhere. The Rebbe Maharash once said that it's impossible to fool Hashem, it’s not even possible to fool the world, the only one we fool is ourselves. So what's the big deal, what’s the great accomplishment in fooling a fool?

The Rebbe went on to encourage this person to make a simple bottom line calculation; how many people did he help with putting on Tefillin (or other mitzvos)? What actually got done? That’s the impact, that’s what counts.

What we see from the Sicha is that when we live with a mentality of being on shlichus wherever we are (regardless of whether we are an official Shliach or not) people look towards us to see how we daven and learn and act as a living example.

Our job is to accept Hashem’s sovereignty, know the Rebbe’s guidance and then take personal responsibility, making sure we finally get to the actual practical application. We don't have to fear the negative influences of a foreign environment when we take responsibility, follow the Rebbe’s directives, and get busy with producing results. Then we don't need to read the news from the New York Times, we are the newsmakers.

It’s our choice whether we want to be spectators or players. For example, how much do we actually know about the life and the environment of our sons when they go away to Yeshiva or our daughters when they go away to Seminary? Do we know if they are really learning or just wasting their time? Do we know if they have good chavrusos, positive influences and acceptable roommates? The only way to know is to get involved. If they're in town we can go visit them, if they're out of town we can speak with them and their educators on a regular basis or make a trip to visit them. When the educators know that we are involved and that we care then our child will not just be a number or a statistic. This is our shlichus.

When our older children go away on shlichus what kind of a program do they have? Is it a real program with an organized curriculum or is it just 10 bachurim sitting somewhere alone? The bottom line is that we need to take matters into our own hands; we need to guide the situation towards a positive outcome. We have that power and it’s our responsibility.

The education of our children should never be placed on autopilot. When I was young bachur in Montreal 49 years ago I remember waking in the middle of the night to flashing lights. Puzzled and a bit concerned I looked only to see none other than Rabbi Greenglass using a flashlight as he walked through the dormitory checking up on each and every one of us to see if we had negel vaser and were wearing yarmulkes and tzitzis. That always stayed with me. He cared about our ruchnius, our spiritual development. That memory and that experience edifies enriches and leaves a lasting impression on a young person. When a young person is not feeling well and the hanhala goes to look in on them and treat them for what they are, precious children, it has a big effect.

As a teenager in Montreal my teacher Rabbi Yosef Bornstein, a close friend of my father and from Otwock Poland and Shanghai came over to speak with me. He said that if I ever need anything to just come and ask. He cared for me and he was interested in my well being. All these activities are critical in the education of our children and our relationship with every child. It's the foundation of our home and our mission in life. This approach brings about healthy children and a healthy generation. Wherever we are every one of us has a mission. By not leaving our lives on autopilot and taking matters into our own hands according to the Rebbe’s guidance, we will fulfill our shlichus.

By accepting Hashem’s sovereignty, following the Rebbe’s directives and taking personal responsibility we break out of the status quo of galus and move toward the geula. Then we witness the full complete consolation during the seven weeks of consolation with the full and complete revelation of Moshiach Now!

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Please say tehillim for Sholom ben Chana.

GREAT OPPORTUNITI FOR MIVTZOIM: Sunday, 6:30 pm at Nessah Synagogue - 142 S Rexford Dr. Beverly Hills. Thousands of yidden there. A great opportunity for Mivtzoim! Make the Rebbe Proud!!!!

SIYUMIM TIMES: The Rebbe encouraged everyone to listen to a daily siyum from the beginning of the 9 days through 15 av. Times:Motzei Shabbos: around 9:45 pm.Sunday: around 2 pm, around 7:15 pm and around 8:20 pmMon-Thur: After Maariv - around 8:20
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We are now in the midst of the three weeks from the 17th of Tammuz through the 9th of Av, mourning for the destruction of the Yerushalayim and Beis HaMikdash. We mourn the physical destruction. Although we have always continued to remember the destruction, our constant focus throughout the long and bitter exile has been to correct and develop our spiritual side which was never placed in exile, and to one day merit the rebuilding may it be speedily in our times.

Yerushalayim is made up of two words, yirah-shalem, complete fear. The spiritual inspiration and elevation we experienced in the times of the Beis HaMikdash when we went there on the Yomim Tovim was based on this complete fear. It was because of this complete fear that we were able to develop and channel a burning passion and love for Hashem and Hashem alone, and to merit the highest levels of insight and inspiration. This is what stayed with us when we returned home until we returned again on the following Yom Tov.

On the 17th of Tammuz the walls of Yerushalayim were breached. The Rebbe explains just like there is a physical city of Yerushalayim so too there is a spiritual Yerushalayim within each and every one of us, which is the complete fear of Hashem. The first crack of the walls of Yerushalayim was a breach in the complete fear of Hashem. Once this happened, if left unrepaired it left the possibility for the complete destruction, which occurred on Tisha B’Av. Although the physical Beis HaMikdash was destroyed the spiritual one is still here and with us today. The physical stones were destroyed but on the spiritual Mikdash remained and is still completely intact.

On a practical level in day-to-day living the wall represents a wall of separation from negative worldly forces that separate us from Hashem and the Torah. Our willingness (kabolas ol) to be responsible and respectful to all things Holy creates the proper wall, the separation and focus we need to be a fully functioning servants of Hashem. We create that spiritual wall every time we say to ourselves with simplicity and with resolve; “This is how we live, this is what we do”. This is the wall, which defines our lives that prevents us from falling prey to the negative forces. It is also a wall that enables connection with Hashem and enables us to achieve love and inspiration in all areas in our service of Hashem. When we fall prey to the negative forces, then our love gets directed towards material desires. The burning love for Hashem is channeled into cars, fashion, and flat screens etc.

When the Beis HaMikdash stood in its glory, part and parcel of our service there was placing guards from within and from outside. We guarded it out of respect and honor not because it was in need of additional security. Today in our homes and our schools; whether we are a father or a mother or a teacher, we not only guard the physical but also spiritual safety of our children and their environment. Through guarding our homes and schools, by creating a wall we are able to arouse the love of Hashem and a feeling of closeness to the Torah and mitzvos in this environment. We can now burn our spiritual offerings with this love and make for homes a dwelling place for Hashem.

This prepares the world for the third Beis HaMikdash. It says in the Gemara that our Shuls (the Rebbe said that this also includes our homes) will move to Eretz Yisroel. May we witness the time when we will no longer need a wall of separation because Yerushalayim, the complete fear of Hashem together with the knowledge of Hashem will spread all over the world.

We prepare as for any other Shabbos. We may wash our face, hands, feet and head in hot water in honor of Shabbos. Those whose custom is to go to the Mikveh on Erev Shabbos may do so.

This Shabbos is similar to the previous Shabbos. There are no customs of mourning, except for abstaining from marital relations, unless Friday night is the night of the going to the Mikveh. We wear Shabbos clothes and it’s like a regular Shabbos. The Rebbe would demand that we should be B’Simcha, since it’s the day that Moshiach was born.

We don’t say Tzidkoscha at Mincha. We don’t say Pirke Avos. The Rebbe encouraged us to do our daily shiurim of Rambam and Chitas before Midday.

We can eat meat or drink wine until sunset; at sunset we stop ALL eating.

The Fast - Av 10/August 13 & 14

On Motzei Shabbos, change out of your leather shoes when the Chazan says “Barchu”. (He changes before Barchu, but first he says, “Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh L’chol”.) If you aren’t in Shul, say, “Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh L’chol, and take off your leather shoes right after Shabbos.

We take the Paroches off the Aron Kodesh. After Shemoneh Esrei we say Kadish Shaleim with Tiskabel. We dim the lights and read Megillas Eichah. We don’t say “Veyehi Noam” but we say “V’ata Kodosh” followed by Kadish Shaleim with out Tiskabel.

We don’t say Havdalah, except to say the Brachah, “Borei Meorei Ha-eish” Try to say it before Eichah. In which we read “He placed me in darkness…”(3:6). If one forgot to say “Ata chonantanu” in Shemoneh Esrei, or women who don’t Daven Maariv must say “Boruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh L’chol.” We don’t say Veyitein Lecho.

The Restrictions

Five principal restrictions apply to the night and day of Tishah B’Av: eating and drinking, washing, anointing, wearing leather shoes and marital relations. A couple should conduct themselves as they would during the Nidah period.

Pregnant or nursing women fast; a person feeling ill should consult a Rav.

We can’t wash, even with cold water. In the morning and after using the bathroom, wash your fingers until the knuckles. (We may wash dirt off our hands.) We can’t rinse our mouth. Oil, soap or cosmetics on the skin are forbidden, except for medical purposes.

We only study Torah that deals with the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, or mourning: Megilas Eichah and its commentaries, laws of Tishah B’Av and mourning in Shulchan Aruch, the tragic parts or Yirmiyahu and the third chapter of Moed Katan, etc.

It’s customary to sit on a chair lower than three Tefachim, (about nine inches) until after midday. We don’t say “Good Morning” or “Hello.” (If a person who doesn’t know the law greets you, answer softly, so you don’t hurt his feelings.)

We don’t say the Brochah, “She’asah Li Kol Tzarki” (the Brochah for shoes). We don’t wear Tallis or Tefillin at Shachris, but at Minchah.

At Shachris we say Kinos after we put away the Sefer Torah. After Kinos we say Ashrei and U’va Letzion leaving out the posuk V’zois Brisi, followed by Kadish Shaleim without Tiskabel. Then Aleinu, skipping shir shel Yom and Ein Kelokeinu. No Tehillim is said. After Davening, we read Eichah on our own.

We don’t do any work until midday. We don’t take pleasure walks or smoke.

Chitas may be learned after mid-day, Rambam after the fast.

Mincha is davened while wearing Tallis and Rashi Tefillin. We say Shma and finish what was omitted in Shacharis (Shir Shel Yom,, Ein Kelokeinu and Tehillim) then begin Mincha. Then Krias HaTorah and Haftorah. We add Nacheim and Aneinu in Shemoneh Esrei. After Mincha we put on Rabbenu Tam Tefillin.

After The Fast

After the fast, wash your hands three times, as you would in the morning, without a Brochah.

We make regular Havdalah on wine without the Brachos for fire and spices) and drink the wine.

We say Kiddush Levanah (preferably after changing into leather shoes, washing our face, saying havdala and eating something, ONLY IF we can do this and still say it with a Minyan.)

Those that need to make Havdalah at home should say kiddush Levana with a minyan before going home.

NOTE: One may not eat before Havdalah.

We don’t eat meat or drink wine (except for Havdalah) tonight. Since the fast was deferred to Tenth this year, washing clothes and showering are permitted after the fast.

This is a very brief summary of the laws of Tishah B’Av. Consult a Rav for special circumstances.

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SUNDAYS: Rabbi Yosef Bukiet will be giving his yearly class to the women about the Beis Hamikdosh in the KYY room from 10 to 11 am for 3 consecutive Sundays starting Sunday, 18 Tammuz/July 24.

Please say tehillim for Sholom ben Chana.

Siyumim: The Rebbe encouraged everyone to listen to a daily siyum from the beginning of the 9 days through 15 av. You can participate in a siyum every night after maariv at the shul. If you have a siyum to make please contact Levi Raichik ASAP. For those who live out of town and/or are unable to make it to a siyum you can call in to listen live to our siyum. Dial (712) 775-7031 Access Code: 439-423-346#. THE SIYUM ON MOTZEI SHABBOS WILL BE LERECH 8:50.

The Gaboim of the Shul in honor of Shabbos Chazak. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.

Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Burston for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Chaim Burston’s father Reb Yehuda Shmuel ben Reb Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Rabbi & Dr. Mordechai Halevi Leaderman in honor of Rabbi Mordechai Halevi Leaderman receiving his Semicha. Also in honor of his teacher Rabbi Levi Chazan, and chavrusas Dr. Alan Dauer Mr. Steve Zipp and Rabbi Levi Rachik. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.

Rabbi & Mrs. Gershon Schusterman for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman’s father Reb Yaakov ben Reb Menashe ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Achieving a better and finer Future
through our utmost Loyalty and Devotion
to our Torah and commandmentsBy Rabbi Shimon Raichik

Last week we printed excerpts from the Rebbe’s letter about Tzivos Hashem. When reading excerpts from this letter we see the Rebbe’s deep concern for the attitudes of the young men and women of the generation. We see that Tzivos Hashem was not founded to create competition in learning; the main purpose was to attend to the most burning issue of our time, personal responsibility. We also see his great care and concern to instill in them this kabolas ol, the sense of respect for authority.

After reading this letter we have an essential challenge to face. How do we, in our current circumstances, extend the Rebbe’s guidance detailed in this letter to every man woman and child throughout our lifetime in a meaningful way?

The Alter Rebbe says that serving Hashem with love is the core motivator behind all positive mitzvos and the fear of Hashem is the influence to not transgress the negative mitzvos. The works of mussar focus primarily on fear, the fear of what is wrong with doing a transgression. Although Chassidus focuses on the positive that does not mean that it avoids the reality that committing transgressions is something very severe. All transgressions can be traced back to a lack of kabolas ol, feeling a sense of obligation to Hashem. In the letter and in many places the Rebbe speaks about the fundamental nature of kabolas ol and it’s central role in the service of Hashem. What Chassidus offers helps prepare us to have a more positive perspective about life in general. With Chassidus we internalize the fact that we have a G-dly soul and that goodness outweighs it's opposite. It explains how a mitzvah is everlasting and that our bond with Hashem is eternal and unchanging. Chassidus educates us in the ways of teshuva. Through teshuva we can right all that needs correction; and that through our service of Hashem we will merit the coming of Moshiach.

This gives us the strength to stare the negative directly in the face and be victorious in overcoming our weaknesses. In Hayom Yom we are taught that we need to know what is missing as well as the positive in our service of Hashem. We internalize and live this message as well as provide this message to our children and students.

In a 1943 publication to the youth the Rebbe’s entry for Rosh Chodesh Tammuz (which is applicable to every Rosh Chodesh) is the following. “Review your conduct and action during the month of Tammuz. Resolve firmly that the next month shall be a better and finer one spiritually through the utmost loyalty and devotion to our Torah and commandments.”

Rabbi Simcha Zirkind had his first Yartzeit this last week. In an article he wrote the following story of his youth. “During the summer months we did not go to camp. Every day we had to go from the Yeshiva to the dormitory to eat. However, do to the lack of modesty on the streets, I did not feel comfortable walking outside during the summer months. In 1957, I went into a private audience with the Rebbe. I asked the Rebbe for advice what to do about me seeing immodest scenes.

The Rebbe told me, that I should keep a photo of my father-in-law, the Rebbe Rayatz, in my pocket. “Before you go out onto the street,” the Rebbe said, “you should take a look at the photo.”

I put in my pocket a picture of the Rebbe and the Rebbe Rayatz and I would look at it before I left the buildings. It was good advice; it averted my attention. I would thus concentrate on their holy faces and not at what I saw in the streets.

In the winter of 1956 I wrote to the Rebbe several of my issues. One was having foreign thoughts that I felt was inappropriate for me to have. The Rebbe responded: “It is known the advice to this is, ‘that a little bit of light, pushes away a lot of darkness. Therefore you need to be immersed into thoughts of Torah and prayer. You should be fluent by heart, several chapters of Mishnah, Tanya and at least several lighter, easier to understand, chassidic discourses. This all helps liberate one from not good thoughts.””

May we merit that these days be transformed into Yomim Tovim and may we merit the full and complete redemption now, during these nine days.